Published by Oxford University Press for the Infectious Diseases Society of America 2020. This work is written by (a) US Government employee(s) and is in the public domain in the US.BACKGROUND AND AIMS Pinyon pine hybridization is widely acknowledged, but the frequency of and contributors to such interspecific mating remain largely unstudied. Pinus quadrifolia has three to four needles per fascicle, suggesting it is a result of hybridization between the five-needled P. juarezensis and the single-needled P. monophyla. In this study we address the taxonomic validity of P. juarezensis, the hybrid origin of P. quadrifolia, and the presence of hybridization and intermediate morphology as a result of interspecific hybridization in this complex. METHODS We address these questions by combining a genomic and morphological approach. We generated 1,868 SNPs to detect genetic clusters using PCoA, DAPC, fastSTRUCTURE, and ADMIXTURE analyses and performed a morphological analysis of the leaves. KEY RESULTS We found that the five-needled pinyons did not differ genetically from the four-needled P. quadrifolia, reducing P. juarezensis' status to P. quadrifolia. We also found no evidence that P. quadrifoll traits when identifying these taxa with cryptic hybridization and variable morphology. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Annals of Botany Company.Androgen is essential for male development and cortisol is involved in reproduction in fishes. However, the in vivo roles of cortisol and specific androgens such as 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) in reproductive development need to be described with genetic models. Zebrafish cyp11c1 encodes 11β-hydroxylase which is essential for the biosynthesis of 11-KT and cortisol. In this study, we generated a zebrafish mutant of cyp11c1 (cyp11c1-/-) and utilized it to clarify the roles of 11-KT and cortisol in sexual development and reproduction. The cyp11c1-/- fish had smaller genital papilla and exhibited defective natural mating, but possessed mature gametes and were found at a sex ratio comparable to the wildtype control. The cyp11c1-/- males showed delayed and prolonged juvenile ovary-to-testis transition, and displayed defective spermatogenesis at adult stage, which could be rescued by treatment with 11-ketoandrostenedione (11-KA) at certain stages. Specifically, during testis development of cyp11c1-/- males, the expression of insl3, cyp17a1, and amh was significantly decreased, suggesting that 11-KT is essential for the development and function of Leydig cells and Sertoli cells. Further, spermatogenesis-related dmrt1 was subsequently downregulated, leading to insufficient spermatogenesis. The cyp11c1-/- females showed a reduction in egg spawning and a failure of in vitro germinal vesicle breakdown, which could be partially rescued by cortisol treatment. Taken together, our study reveals that zebrafish Cyp11c1 is not required for definite sex differentiation, but is essential for juvenile ovary-to-testis transition, Leydig cell development and spermatogenesis in males through 11-KT, and it is also involved in oocyte maturation and ovulation in females through cortisol. © Endocrine Society 2020. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail journals.permissions@oup.com.STUDY QUESTION Is there a difference in DNA methylation status of imprinted genes in placentas derived from IVF conceptions where embryo culture was performed in human tubal fluid (HTF) versus G5 culture medium? SUMMARY ANSWER We found no statistically significant differences in the mean DNA methylation status of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated with parentally imprinted genes in placentas derived from IVF conceptions cultured in HTF versus G5 culture medium. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Animal studies indicate that the embryo culture environment affects the DNA methylation status of the embryo. In humans, birthweight is known to be affected by the type of embryo culture medium used. The effect of embryo culture media on pregnancy, birth and child development may thus be mediated by differential methylation of parentally imprinted genes in the placenta. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION To identify differential DNA methylation of imprinted genes in human placenta derived from IVF conceptions exposed tois in a larger sample size as well. Given the importance and the growing number of children born through IVF, research into these molecular mechanisms is urgently needed. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/ezm0414.html STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was funded by the March of Dimes grant number #6-FY13-153. The authors have no conflicts of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Placental biopsies were obtained under Netherlands Trial Registry number 1979 and 1298. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology.Humans have influenced the epidemiological patterns of American cutaneous leishmaniasis by habitat disturbance, which has led to the emergence of new transmission foci. In these transmission areas, detecting natural infection of sand fly species with Leishmania parasites is of prime importance in epidemiological studies. In this study, we examined the species composition, spatial distribution, seasonality, and natural infection with Leishmania of the sand fly fauna in an emergent leishmaniasis focus located in Colombia. Sand flies were collected from September 2014 to June 2015 using CDC light traps located in indoor, peridomestic, and outdoor habitats within areas with confirmed clinical patients. In total, 13,488 sand flies of 12 species and seven genera were collected. Among these, Pintomyia townsendi (Ortiz) was the most abundant species comprising 76.3% of total flies collected. The sand fly richness and abundance were influenced by habitat and weather conditions. Outdoor areas harbored the greatest diversity of sand flies. Rainfall negatively affected abundance, whereas increased temperature showed a low positive effect. We detected Leishmania amazonensis parasites in Pi. townsendi for the first time. © The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail journals.permissions@oup.com.